Contributing Firms:
While Budget 2026 featured positive progress in areas such as the R&D tax credit and a reduction in IUT, a perceived lack of urgency in dealing with pressing matters, illustrated by Budget day announcements of new action plans, implementation plans and a compass, instead of actual tax reforms, has led to frustration for stakeholders. The Finance Bill, published on October 16th, largely reflects the announced changes, but also includes a welcome broadening of the DWT exemption to ILPs - with the panel, in their pre-Finance Bill commentaries, describing the initial omission as ‘disappointing’ and a ‘notable gap’ as well as a broadening of qualifying expenditure under the R&D regime.
The major takeaways from Budget 2026 for Ireland’s standing as a destination for international business are highlighted by our panel who also outline the potential changes that did not feature in the Budget but they recommend including in the Finance Bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. Ireland’s R&D Tax Credit has been improved in the Budget and the panel look at how it can be further enhanced to compete successfully in an internationally competitive sector. The VAT modernisation also features, with panelists focusing efforts to make the EU’s fragmented VAT landscape more efficient, while industry recommendations to streamline the overall EU tax system are also assessed. Other topics featured in the roundtable include CBAM and the increasing use of AI by tax authorities and how tax functions can keep up.
What are the takeaways from Budget 2026 for Ireland’s competitiveness as a location for international business, and can you comment on the principal business impacts, including any proposals regarding tax administration and simplification in the Budget?
What are your observations on the upcoming Finance Bill 2025? In particular what areas/changes have been overlooked in the Budget 2026 announcement that you hope may still make it into Finance Bill 2025?
Can you share your observations on Ireland's R&D Tax Credit and its international competitiveness? (In your response please comment on any Budget 2026 announcements in this area)
'Despite being the EU’s most harmonised tax, VAT rules remain fragmented, costly, and ill-suited to modern business models. SMEs are particularly disadvantaged by divergent reporting obligations, refund processes, and interpretations of key concepts.'* Can you please discuss the EU VAT landscape and efforts to make it better suited to today’s EU economy?
Accountancy Europe recently published a briefing paper* on streamlining the EU tax system. To reduce uncertainty and compliance costs the paper makes recommendations to tackle inconsistent implementation of EU directives across the bloc, including making EU guidance legally binding on Member States. What are your views on this and any possible unintended consequences from taking away flexibility on implementation for Member States?
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which was simplified in a number of ways in February 2025, comes into full effect from 1st January 2026. What are the implications for taxpayers and how can corporates prepare for the new rules?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide, with the global AI market projected to surpass $400 billion by 2027. How can businesses determine if their tax function is keeping pace with AI-driven tax authorities?
BDO’s Angela Fleming assesses the Budget 2026 from a financial services perspective and while there are welcome changes for FS she also highlights missed opportunities such as failing to abolish the widely loathed ‘deemed disposal’ rule. She writes there were almost more proposals for future tax changes than immediate ones in this year’s Budget and that public consultations on major tax changes, as welcome as they are, are adding to the delays in the introduction of much needed changes.
Budget 2026: What are the takeaways from Budget 2026 for Ireland’s competitiveness as a location for international business, and can you comment on the principal business impacts, including any proposals regarding tax administration and simplification in the Budget?
Finance Bill 2025:What are your observations on the upcoming Finance Bill 2025? In particular what areas/changes have been overlooked in the Budget 2026 announcement that you hope may still make it into Finance Bill 2025?
R&D Tax Credit: Can you share your observations on Ireland's R&D Tax Credit and its international competitiveness? (In your response please comment on any Budget 2026 announcements in this area)
EU VAT reform: 'Despite being the EU’s most harmonised tax, VAT rules remain fragmented, costly, and ill-suited to modern business models. SMEs are particularly disadvantaged by divergent reporting obligations, refund processes, and interpretations of key concepts.'* Can you please discuss the EU VAT landscape and efforts to make it better suited to today’s EU economy?
The Single Market: Accountancy Europe recently published a briefing paper* on streamlining the EU tax system. To reduce uncertainty and compliance costs the paper makes recommendations to tackle inconsistent implementation of EU directives across the bloc, including making EU guidance legally binding on Member States. What are your views on this and any possible unintended consequences from taking away flexibility on implementation for Member States?
CBAM: The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which was simplified in a number of ways in February 2025, comes into full effect from 1st January 2026. What are the implications for taxpayers and how can corporates prepare for the new rules?
*Accountancy Europe - Recommendations to streamline the EU tax system (Press Release - Full Briefing Paper)